Favre induction, No. 4 retirement set for July 2015

The Green Bay Packers are holding a news conference to announce the induction of Brett Favre into the Packers Hall of Fame and the retirement of his No. 4.

Here are comments:

Perry Kidder, president of Hall of Fame: Today, the Green Bay Packers Hall of Fame announce that Brett Favre will be inducted next year. It was a unanimous choice. Favre will be the only inductee for next year's class. His number will also be retired that night.

Packers president Mark Murphy: Brett Favre will be the first person inducted in the new Hall of Fame space. He was a special player. He was a winner. But more than that was his joy for the game. I was not in GB during his time here, but I remember watching Brett and thinking, "wow, he's really good." ... what stood out to me was his joy of the game and that resonated with our fans. For those reasons, we decided to also retire his number at the induction ceremony. ... The, during the 2015 season, we'll unveil his number on the north end of the stadium. He'll join names such as Hutson, Canedeo, Starr, Nitschke and White. ... The date hasn't been determined.

Former Packers president Bob Harlan: Congratulations Brett and his wife for all their contributions, including to the community. ... Things were tough in the 20 years before Favre came. Fans suffered. Fans asked me if the NFL was getting too big for Green Bay. ... But in 1992, Ron Wolf, Mike Holmgren and Brett Favre came to Green Bay and Packers Pride was restored. .... He was the greatest competitor I had ever been around. ... He will become the first player in Packers history to have both his induction and number retired at the same time.

Favre: "Wow, I'm speechless. I can't thank you enough." ... "To be able to play one game in GB is enough, but to be able to play 16 games is an amazing honor." ... "It's more than a dream come true. It's time to come back." ... "To experience that with the fans is priceless."

Saturday, July 18 is date of induction. Information on ticket information will come at a later date.

Favre: (Steve Mariucci asks if he shaved today) "I did." ... (Mariucci asks if he would come up before the induction) "I was close to coming last year. ... Yes, I would like to come up. I have been in discussions with Mark about doing that. Hopefully, we get it done." ... "Wouldn't it be nice to flip a coin with Bart Starr before a game. I'm getting goosebumps just thinking about it." ... (concern about hard feelings from fans?) "I've commented a couple of times in the past couple weeks, I'm not concerned. ... Not everyone's going to be pleased, and that was the case some years back. ... I know Packers fans as well as anyone and there's noone like them." ... (when did you feel like it was time to come back into the Packers family?) "I was probably more ready sooner than everyone else was. ... Not long after I was retired from football, I was ready." ... (have you thought about who would induct you?) "I haven't thought about it in great detail. But within the last week or so, it's really ... I've thought about it a little bit. ... there are a few people on my short list." ... (any recent contact with Ted Thompson or Mike McCarthy) "Not recently, but Ted sent me many notes, even while I was playing. Very complimentary." ... "I'm a Packer. It was almost like borrowed time playing for other teams." ... Said it's been like a roller coaster. The feeling is similar to throwing that first touchdown pass to Kittrick Taylor. He would love to have Ron Wolf and Mike Holmgren accompany him and his family when number is unveiled. ... (asked if he'd pose for a picture with Bart Starr and Aaron Rodgers) "Are you kidding? Absolutely." ...

More Favre: Called Mariucci the perfect coach at the perfect time. ... "I'm blushing, really. I knew this moment would come and I'm just thankful we're here." ... "I really don't miss playing. ... That's all I knew, was playing in fall. But I do miss the camaraderie." ... Haven't really talked about returning for other events. "First things first." Has so many fond memories. "A special 16 years for me." ... Never felt that this day would never come. Doesn't think anyone felt that way.

That's it for the news conference.